Nicole Pyles, blogger for World of My Imagination is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

For writing, books, and everything else in my imagination.

30 April 2012

Whether I'm lost in creative thought, thinking out a story, troubled about something, or anything else in between, a really good window can do wonders for the mind. It can also be very relaxing and not to mention that science proves that there are benefits to daydreaming.

No, you don't need a window to day dream, but it does help, and it's a bit more mind-drift-enducing than a blank wall (which I have done, though.) And as I finished a wonderful stare-out-the-window session, I began to wonder, what makes for a good daydream session? How does one find just the right windows to stare out of?

1) Location

Location can be everything to a good daydream session. It isn't necessary to have an entirely empty and deserted location, either. Coffee shop window, window at home, car window, bus window. Plenty of great day dream opportunities all around. I especially love a tree nearby, because the sway of the leaves can be hypnotic.

Just don't stare out a window where there is someone sitting right outside the window. This can cause them to think that you are staring at them, not staring aimlessly. It can also seriously freak someone out or make them think you are interested in them (which may or may not be your purpose).

2) The Weather

I love daydreaming when it is raining. Rain already makes me melancholy, so it's a perfect time for me. Why not the sun? Okay, stare out any window where there is sun shining and you are bound to look away with those awful reflection things in your eye that take forever to go away. I hate that.

3) Music

You don't always need music to daydream. In fact, when I used to take a particular bus line, it was always so empty and I didn't need music to tune out my environment. Plus surrounding me was a ton of trees and landscape, so it was a wonderful experience.

But if you are in a crowded...anywhere, whether that's a restaurant, coffee shop or seating area, you are bound to get distracted by the noise around you. My advice? Listen to music. I particular like Jazz or Classical music to daydream with (not into Jazz? I suggest getting your Pandora app out and typing in the "Charlie Brown Theme Radio." It's a great start.)

Now, those are my tips. So, go out there and start to daydream. Just don't be a creeper about it. What are your daydream tips?

27 April 2012

Alright, so you may think that I'm a total weirdo, but I have changed my blog design again. But, isn't it great?!

Desirae Rasumussen over at The Not So Ugly Ducklings gave my blog a totally unique look and I was so flattered that she asked to do this for my blog. I was also so glad for the change, because the previous template was causing me some very weird problems that I am extremely glad to be rid of. And I feel so peaceful and serene with this design, too. Don't you?

So, make sure you go over and check out Desirae's blog!

I have always wanted a unique design like this and I really love it! I am proudly displaying her blog button on the sidebar of my blog for all the wonderful work she did.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ooh, and before I forget - my latest "must share" is the Rascal Flatts and I found out through the One2One Network that their NEW ALBUM coming out. This has nothing to do with writing, but I love this band. And I'm taking part in a promotion to share their to contest to fly out and see them in concert. Check out the widget below on how to enter:

So, last week I went to the library and perused the new fiction section. I came upon this book and for some weird reason I picked it up. Let me confess one thing - I rarely read short fiction books. The only other book of short stories I've read was The Girl in the Flammable Skirt by Aimee Bender, a book filled with stories that had a mix of surrealism and an honest examination of real life.

And this book, oddly enough, turned out to be very similar. I decided not to think of the odds of running into another book with a similar theme.

The introduction describes the idea of interstitial fiction. "[It's] a simple search for stories that don't rest comfortably in the cubbyholes we traditionally use to organize our cultural experiences (v)."

26 April 2012

"Happily ever after...psh." Cinderella brought the empty shot glass to her mouth and licked the inside. "So much for Prince Charming..."

The fairy tale wasn't supposed to end this way. She was meant to ride off in the sunset with her Prince Charming. But, of course, something always gets screwed up on the way to happily ever after. Cinderella signaled to the bar tender for another drink as she thought about her story's demise. The Fairy Godmother had screwed up again. So, Cinderella was here, attempting to drown her sorrows.

"You know?" Cinderella slurred to the man next to her.. "Those mice? They can sing, man. None of this stupid..." She hiccuped. "...Lonesome cowboy crap you've been playing all night."

Cinderella heard the sounds of rustling behind her, and turned. It was Snow White.

"Snow-y baby. What's going on?"

"Cinderella, what do you think you're doing?" Snow White stepped forward, her raven black hair and pearly white skin out of place in the backwoods bar.

"That Fairy Godmother?" Cinderella pointed her stir straw at Snow White. "She has it out for me...we. need. her. out."

Snow White sat down, smoothing down her gown. "Cinderella you need to come back. It was an accident. She got her stories mixed up. She sent Prince Charming to kiss me back alive too early. You have to come back and finish your story."

"Again? No way. I am so sick of dusting. And that Wicked Stepmother takes her job way too seriously."

25 April 2012

It's a chance for you to get those creative juices going and share that creativity with fellow bloggers. And the co-bloggers joining me are - Carrie K Sorensen at Chasing Revery and Jane Bussey at A Writer's Muses!

Last week was a lot of fun...feel free to check out my post on the "creepy circus" I created. Carrie created a very good rendition of the prompt last week with her post called, "Promising Silence." And I was so pleased to see someone new join in the fun - Rhonda over at MyGr8Reads wrote story, entitled, "A Bad Dream."

So, here are the rules:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.
2) There is also a 500 word maximum.
3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.
4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!
5) I was going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because I know full well asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventalate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

24 April 2012

Tara didn't say anything back. She turned and pressed her finger to her lips, scowling at me. She squeezed through the small gate opening, smiling at Mark as he pushed against the chain link fence. I was the last of the five to climb through.

As if he noticed my hesitation, Mark whispered. "You can go back if you want."

I shook my head, not saying a word. Five of us had snuck out that night, and I had promised Tara, my best friend. I could only imagine what would happen if I went home. I put one leg into the opening, and looked back for a brief second. I shuddered as I hopped into the closed park.

The sound of our sneakers against the rough gravel was the only noise heard. The tents were shut down and the colors, once bright and welcoming, seemed dull and darkened.

Mark raced to the Ferris Wheel that was in the core of the park. He went to the controls that stood at the opening gate and pulled out a flashlight. What had once seemed like the spine of a futuristic beast, sprung to life. The bright lights of the Ferris Wheel filled the night. I looked around and saw the glowing, hopeful faces of my friends.

"Come on!" Mark called out to us. He jumped over the opening and ran to the waiting ride. "Taylor you man the controls!"

Taylor, one of the goofy boys who followed Mark like a puppy dog and had the dirtiest clothes like an old miner, galloped to the control box and grabbed the remote control button for the ride.

"Step right up..." He said as he ran for the nearest car.

I squeezed myself between Taylor and Coby, another one of Mark's foolish pets. Taylor pushed the button and the ride started to move.

"What's this other button do?" Taylor asked. I wasn't sure if he was talking to me. The ride swung us around and I could see the top of the park.

Taylor must have pushed something, because the Ferris Wheel started to go faster. It started to go so fast my head swung back and it hit the railing behind me. Pain shot through the back of my head. I felt like my head was swimming as the bright lights blurred in front of me. "Taylor, what's happening?"

Everyone was screaming. The ride hurled us around, my hair whipping backwards as I swayed side to side between Taylor and Coby. I noticed the both of them clutching the railing. Coby's knuckles turned white and I realized he was afraid. Mark kept turning around, yelling something at us. At Taylor. Tara screamed, clinging to the side of the basket.

My vision. The colors dulled and the night sky swirled around me. In between the screams, I heard laughter. Horrible laughter. The terrifying laughter of an asylum.

I think it was me.

And then everything went black.

Now it's your turn! This was a tough one to keep as a 500 word maximum. The words we were required to use are in bold, and the prompt had to include the photo in some way. See if you can try! Check out this week's writing prompt by going to this link!

23 April 2012

I just wanted to take a moment and celebrate World Book Day with readers and writers and book lovers everywhere! I confess I hadn't heard of "World Book Day" before (which I feel slightly embarrassed about considering that I'm an avid book reader!). Turns out this is a UK holiday, which is probably why I haven't heard much about it before, but apparently the celebration of books is growing to be more popular in the United States.

So, today, celebrate books. Celebrate the birth of the printed word. The practice and the ancient art of telling stories. Celebrate the dog-eared pages. The water drenched favorites that you carry around. The ones read over so many times that you find yourself reading the next word from memory. The books that crowd your shelves. The books you keep in your purse. The books loaned and never returned. The books that you have late fines over. The fresh, brand new ones that you open up and smell the binding of. The stories that make you laugh. Make you cry. Think. Shudder with fear. Get inspired by. Learn from. Get confused over. The books that you read until 2 am because you just can't put it down.

Cheers to readers everywhere. Cheers to the writers. Cheers to the librarians, bookstore workers, owners, and everyone else that shares this love we all have. Cheers to the good ole fashioned printed books. Cheers to the e-books that are ushering in a new day and age. Cheers to the independent publishers, self-publishers, standard publishers.

Cheers to everyone who shares this love and keeps it alive.

Happy World Book Day Everyone!

Find out more about book day by clicking this link here. Here's a link for residents in the United States on World Book Day.

19 April 2012

I confess - my biggest distraction from writing (aside from reading books, blogging, social networking sites, promoting my blog, reading other people's blogs, writing for other people's blogs, television, YouTube...oh where was I?)...oh right. My biggest distraction with writing is playing The Sims. I love that game.

What does that have to do with any book I've read recently?

Over the weekend, you may have noticed my blog post promoting the book SocialPunk by Monica Leonelle, where you can actually win an iPad, Kindle, and some other free stuff, and this week I finished the last bit of the book I had left. There are still chances to win prizes so make sure to click here to check it out!

And, really, I shouldn't even be making the comparison to the Sims 3 game because that is already giving away too much, but I couldn't resist.

18 April 2012

Welcome back to Writer Wednesday Blog Hop! If you missed last week, the prompt photo and five words are still open for you to link up. There were just a couple people who went through with the prompt, so make sure you check out their post. Carrie K. Sorensen had an amazing post on her blog story called, "Picassa's Bridge" . And then of course, feel free to check out mine. And not to mention, Randy Lindsay's blog who also took part in the post!

And just to throw this out there, if anyone else wants to co-host, let us know in the comments! There more that get involved the better!
And

So here are the rules:

1) There will be one photo, and five words - both of those elements must be a feature in the brief story you create.
2) There is also a 500 word maximum.
3) You have until the next Wednesday to create your post.
4) When you have finished your post, come back here and link up below and let me (or whoever your blog host is) know in the comments that you have done so!
5) I was going to tell you to not take this too seriously, but reconsidered it because I know full well asking writers to write something means that they will take it seriously. So, take it seriously, but don't fret/panic/pass out/hyperventalate/lose sleep/run in fear over it.

Now, you can create a dialogue, short story, a brief scene, description, poem, or anything else you can think of, but remember - it has to be less than 500 words and you have to use the five words above. And it has to relate to the photo in some way!

Don't forget - you have until the blog hop next week to make up a post. So, feel free to come back to this post between now and then.

I will post my own little something following this, and to be fair, I won't actually start writing this until the blog hop is posted.

I got tagged again in the Lucky 7 by Lisa over at Letters by Lisa theme and I'm really glad for it, because I just started my first chapter rewrite and I'm so loving where this book is going. I just am. I'm having so much fun with the rewrite, you wouldn't even believe it!

So, we all know the rules, but just as a reminder:

1. Go to page 7 or 77 in your current manuscript.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy down the next seven lines/sentences as they are - no cheating.

4. Tag seven other authors.

Since I only just got to page seven, let's start there. Oh boy, here we go:

The sound of a horse bridle rattling caused Talia to pause. She turned and at the street by the inn, a man sitting on top of a pitch black horse, wearing a white cloak that covered his face, stared at her. Just like the WildHunter from the city. Talia dropped her basket and it made a soft thudding noise as it hit the ground. Talia looked to see if anyone was around to ask for help, except the town seemed to have been abandoned, with her the only one remaining. She knew she had to run, but the thought hadn’t registered to her legs. Frozen in place, Talia couldn’t even will her own voice to speak out. She saw his horse step forward towards her. If only she could speak out, she would get help. He kept his eyes on her as the horse continued on.

Alright, that's my seven lines! And I think a good number of you have already done the challenge, but if you haven't been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged!

15 April 2012

Recently I was approached by Monica Leonelle to help promote her latest book Socialpunk - Book One of the Cyberpunk Trilogy. I love helping fellow writers promote their work, and I have a soft place in my heart for fantasy/sci-fi genre books, so make sure you check this one out!

Just a little bit about the author -Monica Leonelle is a well-known digital media strategist and the author of three novels. She blogs at Prose on Fire (http://proseonfire.com) and shares her writing and social media knowledge with other bloggers and authors through her Free Writer Toolkit (http://proseonfire.com/free-writer-toolkit).

Here's a blurb:

Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win.

And now the most fun part of this entire thing is the chance for you, my dear reader, to take part in a really fun giveaway!

14 April 2012

Bruce and Rava are back again as part of my new, weird, potentially funny series I have added to my blog. And a simple task of posing for a Saturday afternoon photograph can't go right for them. This time I have made use of the word generator to help me tell the story of today's episode. So one old photo, five random words, and 500 words or less. (Remember - the random words are in bold.) Want to see what happened the last episode? Click here!

Rava straightened out her blouse and rubbed her teeth with her finger to get rid of any lipstick. "How wonderful it is that you could rent this cabin for us, Bruce."

Bruce scoffed. "Rava, I did not vote for such a horrific looking cabin." Bruce coughed. "Not to mention I wouldn't have voted to bring your two happy hour friends, either."

Rava started pulling on a loose thread on her skirt, only to find it stretch out further with each tug. "Which is why I never gave you a vote in the first place darling." Rava looked up from her skirt, a five foot long piece of thread now in her hands. "Martha, do you have any scissors?"

"Quit pawing at yourself, Rava and pose for the photograph. Henry's waiting."

"Bruce." Rava whispered.

Bruce leaned in. "What is it, darling?"

"Henry doesn't know how to hold the damn camera." She looked up at her husband, eyeballing an ink stain that colored his white shirt. "Hold still darling." She licked her thumb. "You have ink on your shirt." She started rubbing the stain.

"Rava." Bruce said, batting away his wife's hand. "Stop that."

"Don't be so brass." Rava kept trying at the stain.

"Brass? Don't you mean crass?"

Rava sucked her teeth. "Really, darling, you need a clean shirt." Rava got back in her place for the photograph. A buzzing noise caught her attention as Henry started to do the count for the photo. "Bruce."

"What?"

"Bruce."

"For God's sake, Rava, what the hell is it?"

"What's that noise?" Rava looked around, searching for where the buzzing noise.

"Dear Lord, Rava, what is it? What do you see?" Bruce started moving away from the camera shot.

"It's a locust." Rava moved away from Bruce. "It's going after the ink stain."

"Damn it, Rava. They don't go after ink."

"Let's go Martha, Cheri." Rava spotted Henry signaling for them to pose for the camera. "Quick Bruce! Smile for the camera!"

You still have time to join in the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop Challenge! Join in the fun here! Don't have any time for that? That's okay! Have some fun by telling me what you think they might be saying in the picture in the comment section!

Encircling her arm around Bruce's, they descended the stone staircase, the wind in their faces, blowing back Rava's white veil.

"Wonderful party, my love. Wonderful..." Bruce stopped midway down the staircase. "Rava what the hell are you wearing?"

Rava looked down at the white gown, admiring it. "Isn't it lovely?"

She turned to wave at the guests standing at the doorway, cheering her on.

"That...isn't the dress you came in, dear, is it?"

Rava giggled, brushing the white veil from her face. "I found it in Martha's bedroom. The fool just left it hanging there."

"Damn it, Rava." Bruce pulled her in closer, leaning in. "What the hell have I told you about stealing other people's clothes?"

Rava noticed the valet pull their car in front of the stone steps. She continued walking, pulling her husband forward. "Hush, darling, hush." She turned back, still seeing the party guests standing at the doorway, waving at her. "My admirers Bruce! They want more!"

"Rava, how much did you have to drink-" He gasped, stopping mid-sentence. "Rava, they aren't waving at you, they are waving at the police who are...headedrightthisway. Damn it, Rava, get in the car!"

So, pour yourself a glass of wine and have a read. I'm sure afterwards you'll think it's funny. That or maybe I shouldn't be writing posts after midnight. And let me know what you think they might be saying instead in the comment section!

11 April 2012

This is my entry to the Writer Wednesday Blog Hop still live. Join in the fun where you take this photo above and the five words noted in the blog hop directions (my use of the words are in bold below).

Rava entered into the ballroom, keeping close to Bruce. She hated the lot of people in this place, all blubbering snobs dying to lay in a bed of their own money. She was here only to fulfill Bruce's wishes to rub elbows with the men who drank their whiskey out of enormous glasses.

"Darling, I'm off to find..." Bruce didn't finish his sentence, only waved her off.

"Fine." Rava needed a drink if she was going to make it through the evening. She wandered towards the open bar, her only saving grace in this place. Only a few steps away from Bruce, Rava was yanked back to Bruce's side.

"Bruce, what are you doing?"

"Darling...what is that smell?"

Rava sniffed. She put her nose to under her arm, and sniffed again. She leaned up and sniffed Bruce's neck. "Smells like cologne to me, darling. Must have been the one I bought you on sale."

Bruce kept his eye on the crowd, as if warding off an attack. "No, it does not smell like cologne...it smells..." Bruce sniffed again. "...Like ham."

"Ham? Darling?"

Bruce nodded. "Ham."

Rava leaned in closer, and brought her voice down to a whisper. "Why does it smell like ham?"

"Damned if I know! Go spike the punch."

Rava motioned to the open bar. "But darling there is an open bar..."

"I can't chance anyone to be sober in this party. Go spike the punch."

Rava walked towards the punch table, and muscled in between two women with enormous behinds. "'Scuse me, ladies." Alone at the table, Rava reached into her hand bag and brought out a tiny bottle of vodka she kept handy, and poured it into the bowl.

Bruce raced over to her, weaving in and out of the dancing couples. "Did you do it?"

"Yes, darling. Why are you so concerned about the ham smell?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Now be careful with the alcohol tonight Rava. I don't want you hanging from the girders again."

"Girders?"

"Rafters."

"Ah, of course." Rava leaned her head against Bruce's shoulder. "You know one day, darling, we will achieve parity with these people."

"Parody?" Bruce looked down at his wife, confused.

"Parity. Equality."

Bruce turned, and pulled Rava closer. "One day we will, my love. I promise you Rava. But damn it, darling, what the hell smells like ham?"

There's still a chance to take part in the blog hop, so make sure you check out this post to find out the rules and submit your link to your post! Or if you don't have a blog, feel free to enter your post in the comments!

So, for the past few weeks, I have not run my weekly post of Writer Wednesday Blog Hop. For a couple of reasons, first being that it wasn't growing and it was requiring a lot of effort to promote the posts to get very little traffic.

And for a few weeks, I thought maybe I would just permanently discontinue it.

Until now.

But, I'm trying something different. And I'm so glad to say that joining me is Carrie K Sorensen at Chasing Revery and Jane Bussey at A Writer's Muses!

Utilizing photos I found that are out of their copyright protection and five randomly generated words, we are going to ask our fellow blog hoppers to write posts inspired by these two elements. And today is my first attempt at this, so we'll see how this goes.

Now, you can create a dialogue, short story, a brief scene, description, poem, or anything else you can think of, but it has to be less than 500 words and you have to use the five words above. Oh and it has to relate to the photo in some way!

And you have until the blog hop next week to make up a post. So, feel free to come back to this post between now and then.

I will post my own little something following this, and to be fair, I won't actually start writing this until the blog hop is posted.

I'm certain you all were wondering how things were going. So, I decided to do an update!

And I also got a Kreativ Blogger Award (times two! Yay!) from Sandra Tyler and I got the One Lovely Blog award from Diane Carlisle. I feel so special!

First things first...how is my book going? Actually things are going okay. I'm reading through it for the first time and taking notes along the way of changes I'd like to make. And overall, things aren't looking too bad! And that's a good feeling...I don't think I will make my goal to have it done by August, but that's okay.

And in other news, I'm also working on a new poetry video, featuring one of my favorite poems I've written called, "The Library." (In case you want to see what I've done so far, check them out here). It will probably be done by next week some time within the next few minutes (ha ha), so keep your eye out!

As for my blog, I'm pleased with the direction I've taken it. Like with anything new, I know it will evolve and I will let that happen. I think the way I have changed things has inspired me to be more creative and less self-critical.

So, like any award there are a few rules! The Kreativ Blogger award requires I share seven facts and pass along to seven bloggers. For the One Lovely Blog Award, Diane said to share one fact about myself and share the blog award to another blogger.

Seven Facts Plus One

1) When I was little, I had a red haired doll named Baby that I adored and she went with me everywhere. I loved (love) her to pieces! And one time when I was at church (keep that in mind), a little girl came up to me and said, "Hey that doll looks like the one from Chuckie!"

2) When I was younger, I knocked out two teeth - once at a park when I was about 7 and once at my preschool. I still have a fear that one day I will manage to knock my teeth out again.

3) Whenever I get on amusement park rides, I have to have my hair back in a hair tie or scrunchie, because I have this fear that my hair will get caught in one of the rides.

4) I was actually picked last in baseball once.

5) I was once walked passed Brendan Fraser when he was making a movie in my area. It was absolutely incredible! My shoulder actually nearly brushed passed his shoulder.

6) I once knocked my thumb into the car door jam and the nail got purple. About a week or two later, the nail fell off into my lunch bag and I thought t was a grape. No, I didn't eat it.

7) I once got on a bus and there was a woman who got on after me who reeked the bus with urine so bad that the b driver had to tell her to leave.

(BONUS FACT) 8) While I never spend more than $20.00 on jewelry, especially earrings, I don't blink twice at the idea of spending $200 + on a pair of boots.

04 April 2012

Something about an empty freeway gives me this eerie apocalyptic feeling that I just can't shake. When I was much younger, between the ages of 8 and 12 I'd say, a freeway opened up by my house. I grew up in the Bay Area and to think of a time where a freeway wasn't needed is almost impossible to even fathom. But I remember the day before it opened and they let people walk up and down the freeway for about a mile by the entrances. There was even a bookmobile to go visit.

For some reason when I recall this, I think of how exciting that must have been for me at that age.

And yet still...

...I can't shake the spooky feeling of isolation and emptiness that comes around when I think of that empty highway.

03 April 2012

As part of my ongoing series reporting on my experiences taking public transportation and sharing the people who prove to be great characters themselves, I share with you today a moment of kindness among strangers.

While I was on the bus one afternoon, coming home from college, I listened to a woman who spent her entire time on the bus, speaking with a man who suffered with autism. When he got off the bus, the bus driver told her, "You were very good with him." The woman started to cry and told the driver she had an autistic son of her own.

That day I was reminded that there is kindness out there, even though sometimes it can be hard to find. Be kind today. You never know how much a smile or a small moment of kindness like this can make a difference to one person. And don't forget that the most touching stories can begin in the most unexpected places. Share your act of kindness today, whether it be non-fiction, fiction or poetry.